There’s big news from Away, the trendy luggage company that we’ve grown to love. Ahead of this summer travel season, Away is adding a new product to its Outdoor Collection, the Outdoor Rolling Duffle.
It’s a cross between Away’s classic checked bag and a typical duffel bag. The back of the bag looks nearly identical to the Away’s hardshell checked bag, while the front of the bag is made from a flexible waterproof material that can stretch to accommodate large and oddly shaped outdoor equipment like hiking boots.
CNN Underscored got a sneak peek at Away’s quirky new bag before release. Here’s what I think about Away’s new take on the adventure-friendly duffel after spending a few days with it.
The Outdoor Rolling Duffle from Away is a rugged yet stylish travel companion, designed for adventurers with features including water- and abrasion-resistant materials, collapsible design, oversized wheels and thoughtful organizational details.
What I liked about it
Thoughtful, adventure-friendly design
I found the simplicity of the Outdoor Rolling Duffle’s design allowed for quick access to the main compartment. This is great for retrieving items without having to rummage through multiple sections. Plus, it makes it easy to pack odd-sized items like hiking boots and camp gear.
But the open interior doesn’t mean the bag is free of organization. There are mesh pockets on the cover that keep smaller essentials like chargers, toiletries and accessories separated and easy to find.
I also liked the hidden exterior pocket at the bottom of the bag. It’s quite deep and specifically designed for shoe storage, something that’s particularly important if you’re a hiker, since it keeps dirt from your hiking shoes away from your clothes. This dedicated compartment also makes it easy to get your shoes without digging through a pile of other items.
Easy to store
The Outdoor Rolling Duffle’s collapsible design means it can be folded down when not in use. That’s great for stashing it away in a closet at home or fitting it into the trunk of a car.
I think this is particularly useful for cruise passengers who can unpack and then collapse their bag to store it under the bed.
Convenient design
The kickstand, grab handles on all four sides and oversized wheels are all other features I loved about Outdoor Rolling Duffle.
The kickstand provides stability and ensures the duffel remains upright during packing and unpacking. It also prevents the bag from tipping over when packing and unpacking.
The grab handles on all four sides of the bag make it easy to carry like a traditional duffel bag, something that could be very important if you’re on a campsite with rocky terrain where you might not want to use its wheels.
And finally, its oversized wheels make for a smooth ride over various surfaces from smooth airport floors to rough outdoor terrain to cobblestones.
What I didn’t like about it
Exposed interior handle rails
Inside most roller boards, there’s fabric between the interior handle rails and main interior compartment so you don’t see or need to deal with the handle rails. But the Away Outdoor Rolling Duffle doesn’t have that fabric barrier, so when you open the bag, you’ll see the length of the handle rails until the point where they attach to the base.
While this design might optimize space, it might take some getting used to as you need to pack your contents directly around and on top of the handle rails since your gear won’t sit flat at the back of the bag.
Can be difficult to pack when empty
When empty, the Outdoor Rolling Duffle folds in, defaulting to its storage position. I found that this makes the bag difficult to pack since the top of the bag is effectively working against you while you pack. To mitigate this, I packed large items first to give the bag structure.
It’s expensive
At nearly $400, the Away Outdoor Rolling Duffle is a considerable investment. Ultimately, it’s up to you if your use of the bag is worth the price; however, many competitors are less expensive.
How it compares
| Colors | 3 |
|---|---|
| Wheels | 2 |
| Capacity | 85L |
| Dimensions | 30.5 x 16.1 x 11 in. |
| Weight | 7.8 lbs. |
| Carry-on or checked bag | Checked |
| Price | $395 |
| Colors | 1 |
|---|---|
| Wheels | 2 |
| Capacity | 47L |
| Dimensions | 22 x 12 x 11.8 in. |
| Weight | 4.8 lbs. |
| Carry-on or checked bag | Carry-on |
| Price | $220 |
| Colors | 2 |
|---|---|
| Wheels | 2 |
| Capacity | 100L |
| Dimensions | 32.6 x 16 x 13.7 in. |
| Weight | 9.4 lbs. |
| Carry-on or checked bag | Checked |
| Price | $419 |
| Colors | 12 |
|---|---|
| Wheels | 2 |
| Capacity | 77L |
| Dimensions | 30 x 13 x 12 in. |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs. |
| Carry-on or checked bag | Checked |
| Price | $42 |
Bottom line
I enjoyed testing Away’s Outdoor Rolling Duffle. It’s a new take on checked luggage, and one that may be a good choice for people traveling with sports gear, outdoor gear or other oddly sized items.
I like its water-resistant materials, collapsible design and ample organization. But while it offers convenience with its kickstand and grab handles, some may find the exposed interior handles and initial packing difficulty less ideal.
Despite its drawbacks and its premium price tag, I think it’s a great addition to Away’s lineup for travelers looking for durability in a sleek design that still looks at home at the airport.